So... I went and looked at a 2015 Mustang GT Premium manual with the Performance Package and navigation. It was ordered by the dealer's used car manager, and he wound up with a demo. It only has 890 miles on the clock and comes with the Ford CPO warranty(7 years 100k miles powertrain, 4 years 48k miles B2B). Ebony leather interior, and a subdued dark green(Ford calls it "Guard") exterior. It was in the showroom and the sales guy offered to let me take it out, but I said I'd just drive another GT with a stick. He found another GT with Premium trim and my wife and I took it out. My wife liked it better than the 335is we checked out Saturday. As for me, two big issues:
1. It felt S L O W. Now, this car didn't have the Performance Package, which gets you the 3.73 rear end ratio- the sled I drove had either a 3.31 or 3.55 gear set. I didn't expect it to detach my retinas(a 4.5 second 0-60 time is not exactly pulse-quickening these days) but I anticipated that it would feel at least a little faster than my Mazdaspeed- and it just didn't. I suspect that the big slug of low end torque of the MS3's turbo motor contributes to that impression.
2. It drove bigger-and heavier-than it actually is. Now granted, the Performance Package gets retuned springs, bushings and shocks(as well as serious summer rubber) but the GT I drove just didn't really excite me. At all.
On a more positive note, the car I am(or much more likely was) considering had an extremely nice cockpit. It had the "Premier" leather trim and overall I like it better than the interiors in the current BMW 3ers or 5ers; I'd even say that it gives Audi a run for its money. The 12 speaker Shaker sound upgrade sounded just OK, but I think some time spent with the tone controls could improve things considerably. The seats are very comfortable well bolstered and have heating and cooling- something you give up if you spring for the $1595 Recaros(paying extra to delete features- how positively Germanic!).
Finally, a few random thoughts... I had read that the clutch was a tad heavy- not so. It felt linear and progressive, only requiring a moderate effort. Steering is decent, not bad but not great. Outward visibility is the best of the three modern Ponycars- which isn't saying much, I realize. The fit and finish was very good to excellent.
The car I looked at is a screaming deal- $6800 off sticker and it's essentially a new car- only with a longer warranty. I just wish I could get more excited about it.
1. It felt S L O W. Now, this car didn't have the Performance Package, which gets you the 3.73 rear end ratio- the sled I drove had either a 3.31 or 3.55 gear set. I didn't expect it to detach my retinas(a 4.5 second 0-60 time is not exactly pulse-quickening these days) but I anticipated that it would feel at least a little faster than my Mazdaspeed- and it just didn't. I suspect that the big slug of low end torque of the MS3's turbo motor contributes to that impression.
2. It drove bigger-and heavier-than it actually is. Now granted, the Performance Package gets retuned springs, bushings and shocks(as well as serious summer rubber) but the GT I drove just didn't really excite me. At all.
On a more positive note, the car I am(or much more likely was) considering had an extremely nice cockpit. It had the "Premier" leather trim and overall I like it better than the interiors in the current BMW 3ers or 5ers; I'd even say that it gives Audi a run for its money. The 12 speaker Shaker sound upgrade sounded just OK, but I think some time spent with the tone controls could improve things considerably. The seats are very comfortable well bolstered and have heating and cooling- something you give up if you spring for the $1595 Recaros(paying extra to delete features- how positively Germanic!).
Finally, a few random thoughts... I had read that the clutch was a tad heavy- not so. It felt linear and progressive, only requiring a moderate effort. Steering is decent, not bad but not great. Outward visibility is the best of the three modern Ponycars- which isn't saying much, I realize. The fit and finish was very good to excellent.
The car I looked at is a screaming deal- $6800 off sticker and it's essentially a new car- only with a longer warranty. I just wish I could get more excited about it.